Child Soldiers

Around the world, an estimated 250,000 children—some as young as 7—are involved in armed conflicts. Children are exploited in state-run armies, paramilitaries, and rebel groups. Coerced, enticed or abducted, these children serve as combatants, porters, spies, human mine detectors and sex slaves; their health and lives are endangered and their childhoods are sacrificed.

The Latest

This week, boys and girls from around the world gather together for the “World Vision Cup” where they will be rivals on the football field, but will be united as one to speak out against the inequalities and violence they say are ruining their lives.

Children whose human rights have been violated will be able to bring their grievances directly to the United Nations after a historic international treaty entered into force today. However, World Vision is calling on more nations to ratify the treaty.

New research from Columbia University shows that Child-Friendly Spaces like those set up by World Vision and other relief agencies in disaster or conflict areas give children and their parents more confidence about avoiding child trafficking and labor.

Five of the world’s leading aid organizations say that the three-year-old conflict in Syria has devastated the lives of millions of children and young people — and a generation is at risk of being lost forever.